Art Through Time: Contemporary Reflections

Alon Zakaim Fine Art is pleased to announce the opening of the highly anticipated exhibition Art Through Time: Contemporary Reflections, curated by contemporary art specialist Virginia Damtsa. The exhibition will run from 3 April to 31 May 2024, and promises to captivate the public with its thought-provoking juxtapositions of contemporary and modern artworks, inviting viewers to witness the evolution of art through time.

This exhibition showcases an exceptional selection of works by established contemporary and modern artists, each contributing their unique perspectives to the conversation. Among this dynamic list of artists is Michael Craig-Martin. Widely regarded as a pioneering figure of British conceptual art, Craig-Martin’s images expose the tensions between objects and their representations, highlighting the subtle relationships between perception, language, and meaning. Alongside Craig-Martin’s Untitled (violin fragment blue) is Alexander Calder’s Plumbings II, in which kinetic and geometric shapes transform everyday objects into a vibrant existence.

YBA artist Gavin Turk will exhibit a highlight of his new series of still-life paintings, depicting today’s quotidian product that serves as a response to a still-life painting by Polish artist Henri Hayden.

Another highlight of the exhibition is by Turner Prize winner Keith Tyson, whose artistic philosophy rejects the notion of a fixed self or a singular artistic style. Tyson engages with the work of Roberto Matta, an influential figure in 20th-century Abstract Expressionism and Surrealism from Chile. This encounter between two visionary artists promises to ignite new possibilities and challenge traditional artistic boundaries.

Danish artist Tal R, renowned for his exuberant and direct painting style that effortlessly bridges the realms of high art and childlike simplicity, finds an intriguing counterpart in the work of the revered 20th-century Jewish artist: Marc Chagall. Tal R's sophisticated, yet naive approach bears resemblances to the works found within Chagall's iconic oeuvre.

Renowned British painter Richard Wathen, known for his fictional portraits that evoke ambiguity, mystery, and a sense of melancholia, responds to an enigmatic work by the Belgian Surrealist artist Paul Delvaux. This encounter between two distinct artistic visions invites viewers into a world of introspection and contemplation.

Chinese artist Wen Wu, whose paintings draw inspiration from literature and Asian culture, responds to a painting by the Italian 19th-century artist Vittorio Reggianini. Both works explore similar themes of exploration, wisdom, and elegance.

The exhibition also features the vibrant and playful sculptural works of Egyptian-born British sculptor Sam Shendi, who responds to an iconic mother and child sculpture by Henry Moore. Shendi's semi-abstracted style and bold use of colour injects a fresh perspective into Moore's timeless masterpiece.

British contemporary artist Von Wolfe skilfully navigates the intersection between traditional oil painting and cutting-edge technological innovations in response to a work by the pioneering Impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

Emma Bennett, a contemporary artist whose work delves into the themes of time, transience, and fragmented memory, engages with the artistry of Salvador Dalí. Zavier Ellis, whose works are informed by historical events and belief systems, responds to a work by Pablo Picasso.

Born in London to Chinese parents, contemporary multimedia artist Gordon Cheung blurs the lines between virtual and tangible reality, delving into existential questions about identity, belonging, and territory. Similarly, Tsuguharu Foujita, born in Japan and later a French citizen, explores the same notions. Despite working in different centuries, both artists grapple with these timeless questions in their respective bodies of work.

The exhibition also showcases the groundbreaking digital art of multimedia and creative technologist Scott Eaton, responding to the spiritually-charged sculptures of Spanish artist Jaume Plensa. Eaton's innovative approach merges technology and art, creating a dialogue between the digital and tactile realms.

Art Through Time: Contemporary Reflections emphasises the significance of contemporary art in today's world and celebrates the evolution of artistic expression. While contemporary artists explore similar subject matters as their predecessors, they introduce new realities, sensibilities, and colour palettes. This exhibition serves as a lens to history through art, reminding us that while the past informs our present, we have made substantial progress, learned invaluable lessons, and now inhabit distinct realities.